Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.” Mark 12:41-44 NIV
It seems that when Jesus compared the offerings given, he looked not at the amount of money given but at the amount of sacrifice required to give. Though the rich gave large amounts, they had many resources to draw from and probably didn’t even miss the money they gave. The poor widow, on the other hand, had very little but desired so much to contribute, that she sacrificed everything. Jesus cares far more about the heart of the person giving than the money itself. Let’s face it, if Jesus fed 5000 people with 5 small loaves of bread and two fish he really doesn’t need our money. But he desires people who love him more than anything this world offers, people who hold onto him tightly and possessions loosely.
Paul reinforced this same idea.
For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have. 2 Corinthians 8:12 NIV
It’s the willingness that matters, the willingness to sacrifice everything for the cause of Christ.
David had the right idea when he wanted to buy a piece of land where he could build an altar to offer sacrifices to the Lord in repentance for a mistake he had made.
But the king replied to Araunah, “No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the Lord my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels of silver for them. 2 Samuel 24:24 NIV
So I’m challenged today to ask myself to evaluate what I’m giving. Jesus said, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Are we giving in accordance to what the Lord has given us? Are we giving enough that we miss it?